The center exclusively cares for native Ohio species, from foxes and hawks to turtles and bobcats, while also educating the public on how human activity affects wildlife.

Gates Mills resident Peter Wiest has been volunteering at the center for the past three years. With a background in medicine, he assists with examinations, prepares specialized diets, and even performs necropsies to help diagnose causes of illness or injury. “It’s the best job I’ve ever had,” Peter says. “Working one-on-one with wildlife is an incredible privilege.” His passion for animals stems from his childhood growing up on a farm, and a chance encounter with the center—after rescuing a baby flying squirrel—led him to become an active volunteer.

Tammy O’Neil, the Wildlife Care Manager, explains that animals arrive at the center for a variety of reasons, including injuries from cars, habitat loss, and collisions with windows. “Everything we do impacts wildlife,” she says. “Monitoring pets when outside, keeping cats indoors, choosing native plants, and preserving natural landscapes when gardening all play a role in helping these species survive.” Many well-meaning individuals find young animals and assume they are abandoned, when in reality, their parents may simply be out foraging for food. The center educates the public on how to assess whether an animal truly needs help and, if so, how to intervene responsibly.

Some of their most impactful cases involve species that were once struggling in Ohio but have made incredible recoveries. Bobcats, once nearly nonexistent in the state, were first rehabilitated here, and their release contributed to a now-thriving population. Similarly, the center took in its first injured bald eagles in the late 1990s, when only 40 nests existed in Ohio. Thanks to conservation efforts, that number has grown to over 800 today.

Beyond daily animal care, the center is expanding to meet growing needs. A new quarantine facility is being developed to handle potential outbreaks of potential wildlife diseases such as Avian Influenza. The Center always has a running wish list of future possibilities depending on what is going on with different species populations in Ohio.  Possible future projects could include a dedicated space for river otters and bears if these species become more prevalent in Ohio. A larger flight cage is another possible future project that may show up on the wish list down the road.

Volunteers and donations are critical to the center’s mission. “Volunteers get a very hands-on experience here. Our volunteers also help with feeding baby animals, rescues, and releases as well,” Tammy says. Peter describes the work as deeply fulfilling, saying, “You feel like you’re making a real difference every day.”

In addition to hands-on support, the center accepts both in-kind and monetary donations. There is also an Amazon wish list on their website. Supplies such as food, medical equipment, enrichment items, day-to-day care supplies, gift cards, and building materials for new enclosures are always needed. Those who wish to support the center financially can help fund new initiatives, ensuring that these animals receive the best possible care.

Peter, who also serves as a Director on the Gates Mills Land Conservancy, hopes more people will learn about the center’s work and consider supporting its efforts. “Some of these species are struggling,” he says. “When we care for even one and release it back into the wild, it can make a huge impact.”

For those looking to get involved—whether through volunteering, donating, or simply learning how to coexist with wildlife—Penitentiary Glen Wildlife Center is an invaluable resource, working tirelessly to ensure that Ohio’s native species have a future. Those interested can visit the center’s website or reach out directly to see how they can contribute to this vital cause.